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Drama
IT'S A CULTURAL THING! ... OR IS IT?
"A TRAVELLER IN PROGRESS"
starring Michael Collins with Patricia McCarthy
Directed by Mick Rafferty
Sunday 12th September 2010 at 8.30pm
‘It’s a cultural thing or is it? - A Traveller in progress’ is a revised version of a play first put on in Liberty Hall
Theatre last March. It is based on the life experiences of Michael Collins, a Traveller, who remembers
his childhood through innocent eyes. There is also a running commentary that explains the same events in
a different light. The performance sees Michael going from living in the fields of Kilbeggan in a barrel top wagon
to living in a tent at the top of Prosperous Hill. He describes his family’s journey to Dublin to join the other Travellers
who started the exodus to Dublin as a result of changes in the social welfare system and the end of the traditional
way of life. During the course of the performance he has to convince his daughter to stay on in school. He takes
us through his school days and his first real encounter with settled people. It is a fast paced sequence of stories
that are a microcosm of the history of the Traveller community over the past 40 years.
Michael Collins as himself with Patricia McCarthy as the narrator
Entertaining, enriching and provocative – you could hardly ask for more from a show. These engaging true
tales, based on the experiences of former Glenroe actor and Traveller Michael Collins, portray the
discrimination and hardship routinely experienced by the Travelling community. They vividly evoke life in
encampments and on halting sites- and some good times – from the mid – 1960’s through the Human Rights
for Travellers activism of the 1980’s and the beginnings of self development. Extract from the Irish Times
Collins is an effective presence and tells his stories with humour, passion and a total absence of self pity. He is ably supported by social worker, Patricia McCarthy, providing historical, political and social context for Collins’s stories. Mick Rafferty’s able direction adds film and music to the script. Excellent. *****
Tickets €15 (€12). Bookings on 066 9478956 / admin@techamergin.com
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Traditional Irish Music Tour
Music Network
The Living Stream
Jackie Daly (accordion), Matt Cranitch (fiddle)
& John Faulkner (guitar, bouzouki, voice)
Sunday 19th September 2010 at 8.30pm
In ancient folklore, three is a magic number, and you can expect the combined talents of Jackie Daly,
Matt Cranitch and John Faulkner to let loose the Sliabh Luachra genie from the bottle. There’s clearly some
draiocht in the waters of the upper Blackwater as this mountainous region on the borders of northwest Cork
and east Kerry is renowned for its unique repertoire of slides and polkas as well as its very distinctive style of
playing. Though Jackie and Matt are both steeped in the rich musical traditions of Sliabh Luachra, this
collaboration with singer John Faulkner is very much a celebration of the here and now, the living stream of Irish music.
An acclaimed songwriter and composer, John is a heartfelt performer who has traded lines with the likes of
Ewan MacColl, Dolores Keane, Arty McGlynn and John Prine. Button accordion wizard Jackie needs little
introduction to trad fans, and his work with legendary groups such as De Danann, Patrick Street, Arcady and
Kinvara is testament to his versatility. Former Fleadh Cheoil winner and master fiddler Matt Cranitch is a founder
member of the group Sliabh Notes, as well as a highly respected authority on and teacher of Irish Traditional music.
"Probably the best accordionist in Ireland" The New York Times on Jackie Daly
Tickets €15 (€12). Bookings on 066 9478956 / admin@techamergin.com
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Culture Night
Kerry 2010
Friday 24th September 2010
At 7.00pm, The South Kerry Camera club will open an exhibition of photos on an archaeological theme
followed by a talk at 8.00pm on 'The Archaeological Monuments and Identity of Iveragh' by John Sheehan, UCC .
Finally at 10.00pm the South Kerry Astronomy group will host a talk and slide show on astronomy followed
by, weather permitting, an outside telescopic viewing.
For further details, visit
www.culturekerry.com
All culture night events are free. Everybody welcome.
